Lesson Three
                                    THE "WHO" OF PRAYER

INTRODUCTION:
1. Having looked at what prayer is (lesson two), we now give attention  to "who" it is that can                      scripturally pray to God.
2. Prayers can be hindered and rendered ineffective in certain  circumstances.

I. PRAYERS CAN BE HINDERED - Prov. 28:9; John 9:31
A. For the insincere of heart - Matt. 6:5-7
B. For those who doubt - James 1:6-8
C. For those with wrong motives - James 4:1-3
D. For those with poor marriage relations - 1 Pet. 3:7
E. For those in sin  - Isa. 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18; 2 Cor. 7:10; 1 John 1:9
F. For those not at peace with a brother - Matt. 5:23; 6:15

II. WHO SHOULD PRAY?
A. His children - Matt. 6:9
  1. All humanity may recognize God as their Creator and they are His offspring - Acts    17:26-28
  2, But only those who are born into His spiritual family can call Him "Father" - John    3:3-5; 1 Pet.             1:17, 22-23
B. The righteous - Prov. 15:29; Jas. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12
C. Those with "holy hands" - 1 Tim. 2:8; Jas. 4:8
  1. God wouldn't hear wicked Israel's prayers - Isa. 1:15; contrast with Psa. 24:3-6
  2. Obedience to the Lord is essential to having close fellowship with God and Him hearing our                   prayers - 1 John 3:22; cf. 2:3-5
  3. God does not hear the prayers of the wicked - Prov. 28:9; Psa. 66:18
  4. Notice the conclusions reached by the healed man in John 9:31
  5. The above considerations, however, doesn't void God's law of pardon for a Christian who sins -            Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:7-9
   a. God will hear His child in sin who seeks forgiveness in repentance and prayer.
   b. This is a part of "walking in the light"
   c. We must remember God's character - Exod. 34:6-7; 33:11; cf. 18:21-24
D. Those with faith - James 1:5-8; Mark 11:24
  1. The power that God has offered to man cannot be utilized without unwavering, unquestioning faith         - cf. Matt. 17:14-19
  2. To pray in faith may be accepted by some Christians as an academic fact, but it may not be as a          practical reality in their personal prayers.
E. Those with a spirit of humility - Lk. 18:9-14; Psa. 34:18; James 4:6
  1. Self-righteousness is sin!

F. Those in harmony with God's will - 1 Jn. 5:14; Lk. 22:42
  1. Prayer is of no benefit if it doesn't bring the human will into union with God's will.
  2. Possible to "pray" a false doctrine as it is to preach or sing one.
   a. Alien sinners praying for salvation
G. Those praying "in the name of Jesus" - Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17
H. Those with persistence - Lk. 18:1-8; Matt. 26:44;  2 Cor. 12:7-8

CONCLUSION:  Prayer should have first priority in our lives - Lk. 18:1, 8; Matt. 7:7-11; 1 Thess. 5:17

QUESTIONS:

1. According to John 9:31, who does God hear in prayer?  Who does he not hear?




2. In Matthew 6:5-7, what was the motive behind the prayers of those described?


3. Can the prayer of faith ever be made in doubt (James 1:6-8)?


4. How can prayers be hindered according to 1 Peter 3:7?



5. What does it mean to pray with "holy hands" (1 Tim. 2:8)?



6. Is prayer a condition for becoming a Christian?  Explain.




7. What does it mean to pray "in the name of Jesus"?



8. Study Luke 18:1-8 and explain what you learned about prayer.